High performance products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd., including Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier, have been used by iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP to install a bright combination of grey, pink and blue Paragon and Balsan carpet tiles in the sixth form study room at The Charter School in North Dulwich, London, helping to create an inspiring learning environment for school students.
As well as adding a splash of colour to the school’s sixth form study room, iFlor was commissioned to install Forbo vinyl sheet in a number of classrooms, using Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound and Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive.
Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier is designed to provide a permanently tacky film that prevents loose lay carpet tiles from moving laterally, but still allows for individual tiles to be lifted and replaced with ease, should they become damaged or worn.
The acrylic polymer emulsion adhesive can be used for securing a wide range of dimensionally stable ‘flat lay’ carpet tiles backed with bitumen/felt, non-woven fabric, PVC and other polymer backings.
Before installing the floorcovering, contractors determined that a moisture management solution would not be required for the concrete subfloor in the sixth form space, as a moisture test indicated the base was sufficiently dry, and so proceeded to the application of a levelling compound and the subsequent carpet tile installation.
In five of the school’s classrooms, Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive was used to install grey vinyl sheet. The solvent-free acrylic adhesive is designed to give strong initial tack and a high bond strength that dries to a permanent tacky film. It also reduces the incidence of trowel serrations shadowing through thin vinyl flooring.
The classrooms’ raised access panel subfloors were first primed using a general-purpose primer, before being smoothed using Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound to create a suitably smooth and level surface for the installation of the vinyl floorcovering. Flexible subfloors, such as raised access panels, can move when subjected to normal foot traffic and temperature changes. These movements can cause traditional levelling compounds to crack, leading to visible imperfections showing through the floorcovering or even eventual floor failure.
Stopgap 700 Superflex is a fast drying, self-levelling, fibre-reinforced levelling compound suitable for use over flexible subfloors prior to the installation of new floorcoverings. The product is reinforced with tiny fibres that maintain the integrity of the levelling compound and prevent visible cracks from forming as a result of any movement within the raised access panels.
Once the levelling compound had cured, the job was completed with the installation of the Forbo sheet vinyl, ready for students to begin learning again.
Adam Couch, owner and director of iFlor Flooring Contractors LLP, commented on the project: “Once again, F. Ball products have played a significant role in completing a successful installation. They can be trusted to provide the high standard of results needed and the client was pleased with the outcome, which is set to inspire students for years to come.”
